On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Category: Music & DVD's [Edit]
Neighborhood: DowntownMon-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Loading...
I WAS 10 FT FROM WOLFMOTHER!!!! WOOOOOOOOO!!!! Well it was acoustic, but Stockdale was still hitting the high notes! What with holiday central coming up, I failed to spring for a ticket to their Stubbs show Friday nite, but got to see them, briefly for free Friday evening. And got them to autograph the new CD for my best girlfriend who turned me on to them years ago. Easy, personal, fantastic Christmas gift!
All the usual suspects were represented: the homeless guys subtley pretending to browse an hour early before the free keg gets set up, the Dazed and Confused long-haired, bloodshot-eyed teenagers, every black metal concert tee imaginable, and the guys wearing kerchiefs on their necks (what, is the Bolshevick look coming back??). Oh, and this was a new twist: the hipster dudes who just brought a 12-pack of Lone Star cans from Whole Foods and were drinking em outta the box. Didn't even know you could do that!
Thanks again, Waterloo, for bringing us all together to worship at the church of rock and roll (oh, and free beer)!
Welcome to the Homeless Social Hour! Come on in and get a premium beer (or 2 or 3) and quality live… Read more »
I don't believe in God or going to church, but if I did, Waterloo Records would be my house of worship. This is a legitimately world class, bad ass record store. If more people spent time buying records here instead of giving their money to some idiot behind the pulpit, the world would undoubtedly be a better, happier, more rocking place.
I love you Waterloo Records. Next time I'm in Austin, I will see you again.
There really just isn't another place to go buy music in person. You might have your illicit or more convenient online methods, but if you somehow manage to get your ass out the door to buy some plastic and vinyl, WR is the place to hit
The music is primarily in Alphabetical order, with used and foreign titles in the next room, neighboring the vinyls. The advantage of alphabetical vs. genre/alpha is that you really get a chance to come out of whatever shell of music you're stuck in and can experience something new. Whatever it is you pick up, there's a pretty damn good chance you'll like it. If you don't trust me, hit up one of the listening stations in the store (at least 4 or 5 of them around) and turn on the ipod, it'll be loaded for 10-15 CD's of whatever is featured that week.
Most important to me, however, is WR's support of up and coming musicians, particularly their in-store shows they host (I've seen Citizen Cope and just saw The Steps perform yesterday). In. Credible. Pick up a set of the infamous mix and match waterloo stickers, find some new tunes, or buy a tacky t-shirt. All you need is there.
Yep, don't really see why a lot of other record shops in Austin even bother...I will say though that their DVD section is kind of limited and they could have a better parking situation (especially with the construction currently taking place there) BUT if you want it, they'll have it 9.9 times out of ten.
Next to Amoeba Music on Sunset, Waterloo doesn't stand a chance. But that's an unfair comparison because nothing stands up to Amoeba Music. Not even Satan. A friend of mine, who I should mention is shorter than me, brought me here for the first time and I loved it. It has an amazing mix of old and new records and CD's, listening stations, a knowledgeable and friendly staff, books, shirts, DVD's--they have everything covered en masse, simultaneously putting them squarely on the front lines of both coolness and badassness. If they served snow cones I'd for sure give them 5 stars.
Places like Waterloo Records are the reasons why not even the disgusting heat or head-banging traffic will ever make me leave my hometown.
I called yesterday at lunchtime to make sure that they had a new release I was looking for (the new Cross Canadian Ragweed) and the guy who answered was so friendly, helpful, and knowledgable. I have to admit, I didn't really expect that. As cool as the employees at these awesome Austin institutions are, they are sometimes TOO cool and that backfires into rudeness or laziness. I loved this guy for exceeding my expectations. I stopped by after work to quickly make my purchase and enjoy the much anticipated (by me) tunes. I am so happy to spend my money here!
Cool place that reminded me of my much missed Tower Records in Sacramento, CA. Lotsa cool hip overpriced cheap crap from China for sale so don't let that distract you from the music.
Music seemed to be in mostly alphabetical order and not divided by genre which I liked. This really does get you out of your music comfort zone and exposes you to new possibilities.
This place made me want to find a turntable to spin some of my old vinyl.
Many-a-college-days were spent in Waterloo, sniffing the vinyl as I was too poor to collect much of anything else at the time.
That was until ... i was commandeered by the Visa demons at the Co-Op and they gave me my very own credit card with a whole $500 limit. They may as well have given me Waterloo gift cards.
So, my devotion to the prize of the Austin music scene is incalculable. From CDs to free shows with the Shiner kegs to alone time in the listening booths, Waterloo has provided, and I've been all too happy to accept.
Fantastic, fantastic record store. One of the country's best.
I love the awesome selection, fun listening stations, and adorable knick knacks. What I don't love is the insufferably rude staff. They generally ignore you, and when they do interact with you, they treat you like crap. One time I was waiting in line to buy a CD and when the cashier got to me he sighed heavily and said, "The work just never ends." Terribly sorry for inconveniencing you, good sir. Won't happen again.
That being said, I pretty much enjoy my visits to Waterloo. The other good stuff makes up for the poor customer service.
I could spend all day in here. Apparently so could Jason Pierce, frontman of Spiritualized, who perused every single title from A-Z when he was here.
Read my original review for the video rental.
Waterloo Records is very nice. Has a large section of records especially for people who like contemporary music.
There are many cheaper places with similar selections you could go, though.
I must be a TOTAL airhead because I didn't even notice the music section. This is right next to… Read more »
I used to practically live in this store when I worked downtown. I own over 1000 CDs, but I'm sad to say it's been well over a year since I've been to Waterloo. I don't know how independent music stores stay open considering how much mp3 files and music sharing is going on now. I download about 98% of all music now and put it directly on my iPod. The days of CDs are numbered. In fact, I should sell my collection but I just can't bring myself to do it.
The main reason I'd still go to Waterloo would be for advice. First off, Waterloo has an incredible selection of music. There are artists that you can't find anywhere else. Plus, their in-store musician appearances are always cool. Lastly, the staff is knowledgeable. If you need advice or help finding something, they all know the store and have great advice about artists you may not have listened to previously.
I love Waterloo, but if it's still open in 10yrs I'll be very surprised.
16 stars to be exact...if you are in Austin go there! Hands down one of the best music stores in the country...
Love the in-store shows, the selection and I must say every suggestion I have taken from the very helpful staff (sorry but for those who call them rude just have to get better taste in music...) has been off the charts.
Waterloo Ice House is pretty damn fun too...
I really wanted to hand out something other than another 5-Star rating, but I really can't think of anything at all negative to say about this place. When the big box stores don't have it, you can count on Waterloo to have it. You can listen to music first in booths, etc. before you buy. And even after you take it home, if you change your mind, they'll take it back for full credit on something else as long as it's inside 10 days.
Really, just a great place to shop for music, see an occasional live act, or just hang out. I used to spend MANY hours in this place back in the day. Even now, I try to swing by there every time I'm in the hood.
For Those About to Rock...
I needed to add some AC/DC to my ipod. It is hard to find AC/DC in this internet world, so off to Waterloo Records I went.
As usual, I was Thunderstruck!
So good, you could grab an armful of CDs blindfolded and love just about every one.
I cant say anything negative about this place, except it needs to be bigger! But not really even that. I love this place it usually has what I am looking for.Nice people and cute little extra quirky things to get as gifts or for yourself. Dont forget about Records Store this saturday the 18th of april.
This store is usually one of my highlights when visiting Austin. I miss good record stores, and I usually find what I haven't been able to (or even forgot that I wanted) here.
It's also nice that the listening stations aren't filled with crap, but nice, random selection instead. The used section is pretty choice. Parking is a pain though--it's popularity never seems to dwindle.
This is and will always be my go-to place to find new music*. How did it woo me into buying a CD on my most recent visit? They threw Glenn Danzig at me. Okay, not literally, that would have been a little frightening. They were blaring his first solo album (yes, completely cheesy, but awesome) over the speakers. It was a gorgeous Sunday afternoon. As I looked around, I noticed older couples and young parents were loading THEIR arms with CDs, records, t-shirts, DVDs, windup toys. It was awesome. By the time Mother was playing, I was at the checkout with a few LPs and hard to find CDs. Rock on!
And yet another time I went, they were jamming out to Peaches. They of course got a complaint, but for those four minutes it was awesome/hilarious/psychotic/shocking.
Other things I love about Waterloo, you ask? I love the staff selection wall and listening stations. You CAN'T walk out of there without a new gem to add to your music collection. I love their vast new and used record collection. They have an extensive movie soundtrack selection. I love that the main room combines all music (rock, rap, jazz) alphabetically. World Music is separate in the smaller room. I love that they are directly opposite one of the best independent bookstores, BookPeople. I could spend all day at 6th and Lamar, and find no reason to leave. My friends would find me napping in a far corner near the playground at WholeFoods.
Things I don't love about Waterloo? The 15 year-old boys that frequent the place...and their parents. The congested parking situation when there is a live in-store. Traffic on Lamar at any time of the day.
*I apologize for expounding on such an audiophile dork proclamation and please don't mention to Cactus Records in the HTX (my first love) that I'm cheating on it.
One guy on here said "Waterloo might be the greatest record store in the United States." That might be true if Waterloo was the ONLY record store that guy had ever been to. My boyfriend and I relocated to Austin from California where we both worked in an independent record store for a collective total of about seven years. It was not as big or well-known as Amoeba, but I would say it was comparable in variety, and really the only record store worth stopping at in central California. That being said, I think we both have a pretty good idea of how a record store works.
Three out of three times we have gone in, the level of customer service was extremely sub-par. We were not greeted upon entering the store, were not offered help in finding anything we were looking for, and were snubbed when we came to the counter to seek help. I, having never been in before and not being sure of how they organized their listening copies, asked whether they had two new releases to listen to. The girl at the counter told me in a condescending though barely audible voice that I could pull anything off the floor and listen to it. I asked where I could find the CD and she waved me in the direction of it, then lost interest. They did not have the CD in the artist section, but they did have about three different artists in the section who clearly did not belong there.
We should have given up then, but we collect records, and understand the importance of supporting local shops as we have mad love for them! We tried to check out the vinyl, but were disappointed to discover that they were packed so tightly in the bins that you literally had to bend the record to look at the title behind it. In addition, whoever prices their used vinyl has no idea what they're doing. Or they believe that the people who buy used vinyl have no idea what THEY'RE doing. This time, we waited, as the only people in line, while the two employees finished up a chess game they had going on behind the counter.
The third time we went was definitely our last. We grabbed one record, and again, waited as the only people in line while THREE employees shot the shit with each other. Another employee left the floor to come ring us up, while the others didn't even look at us. We should have just walked out with the record.
For anyone who is serious about supporting local business, receiving excellent customer service, and finding reasonably priced used vinyl, spend your money and time elsewhere! If we had treated customers with the contempt and carelessness of Waterloo employees, we would have been fired on the spot, as I'm sure most employers would agree. We don't mind spending the extra money to drive down to End of an Ear! Or even to get records shipped to us. Infinitely better!
I love this store, as any music lover should, and they certainly merit 5 stars. Let me just suggest a couple of things they could improve on, because so many have already explained why they rock.
You have a huge vinyl section. Why just the one turntable for listening to records before you buy? There are 10 or more for CD's! If the guys at Backspin can have more tables, with limited rescources, why do I have to wait behind some jackass that spends half an hour listening to every song in a 10-record stack?
I know it's the curse of the great location, but... the parking lot? It can be a door-dingin, cluster-fudgin nightmare! Can I get an amen fellow shoppers? I usually park around the block, just to ease my ingress / egress. I say close down all surrounding businesses but Amy's Ice Cream. Just serve Ice House bugers n fries in the back of the vinyl section.
All in all, still a great place to spend my hard-earned cash.
Oh yeah, give Mel a raise or promotion. He's the best.
What a great record store. LOVE the iPod listening station. Haven't seen that anywhere in SD, where I hail from.
Prices are pretty dope as well. Slightly higher than your typical iTunes download, but I'm ALL about throwing down an extra buck or two to support cool, independent record stores. Cool vibe too.
Picked up the new Atmosphere album, as well as the Black & White Years record. Those guys kill. You Austinites should be proud of 'em. I'm sure you are :)
Make 'em say WOO for Waterloo!
That was lame. I'm sorry...
This place is pretty freakin sweet. They have an amazing selection in every category. My personal favorite is their never-ending collection of vinyl, which pretty much makes this place like a musical haven. The staff seemed friendly when I was there, which is always a plus in a music store.
I suppose if I had to point out a fault it would be their prices. But since I never actually buy movies or music anymore, the only time this would matter is if I were to purchase vinyl. Since their vinyl prices are comparable to prices elsewhere, it isn't really a problem. So I guess they really have no faults! Yay!
Waterloo Records should be named an Austin landmark. It has a fantastic selection of CDs, records, t-shirts, knick-knacks, and all things quirky and Austiny. I'm old school - I like to get my music in hard copy form over potentially deletable and crashable mp3s. For people like me, Waterloo Records is a candyland of options and variety. Whether I'm looking for The Beatles or the warm-up band I heard last night at Emo's, I'm sure to find it at Waterloo.
Shop Waterloo and shop local!
I really wanted to go to End of an Ear, but it was sadly closed when I arrived at 9:10 :( So I wandered up to 6th and decided to see what the fuss was about with this place. Having Reckless Records in Chicago makes me tough to please, so this place had some decent shoes to fill.
First of all, this place is huge. Really huge. Not like warehouse huge, but it's about comparable in size and selection to the first floor of the old Virgin Megastore. In terms of selection, it's a great place to find new CDs and vinyl. Unfortunately, the natives must watch this place like hawks because the used vinyl bins are filled with almost nothing but rubbish dad rock. It's also a little pricier than Reckless.
If it were somehow magically teleported to Chicago, would I go back? Maybe to browse the CD section, because I can get new and used vinyl much cheaper at Reckless and other stores. This is a great place to wander in and get lost for a while, and the relatively convenient location on 6th (plus the free parking lot) can't be beat.
Also, they attached a blurb to the new Secret Chiefs 3 record that was possibly one of the funniest that I've ever read, as it referred to John Zorn as a "burrito of pretension wrapped in a tortilla of his own ego." I may like Zorn's music, but I had to laugh really hard at it as I agreed.
I know it's trendy and counter-culture to hate on places that are popular, but honestly, Waterloo is not that great. My music buying is restricted primarily to vinyl only, and while they do have a very large selection of records, there's rarely anything difficult to find here. They have your standard newer releases that have been pressed on vinyl, occasional back catalogues of bigger bands, and a healthy selection of older used records. They just never have what I am looking for. On the few occasions that they do, the prices here are slightly more than I could find online plus shipping, so there's very little reason for me to buy it in person. If I have to have the album, I can typically go up to Backspin and find it for cheaper.
Despite the higher prices, Waterloo is one of the few places that I've been to that sells plastic record sleeves individually. Having OCD, all my vinyl must have uniform sleeves, and I refuse to officially assimilate any record into my collection until it has one. I typically make a run to Waterloo to pick up a few.
I can't comment on the CD collection at Waterloo, as I really haven't gone CD shopping in over 5 years. I've seen a large display of local bands, which made me feel good that they were being showcased. I'm unsure what their selection is compared to most other places, or how their prices compare.
Waterloo is the place to go to find practically anything. They also have a really good selection of crap in their used section. I really like perusing their records, new and used. I once bought a Grey D'Liesle record here on a whim just because it had an autoharp listed on the back as one of the instruments used. Soooo happy I bought that. I have also gotten some great import 45's of Lady Sov.
I also recommend checking out shows at Waterloo. I've seen Smog and Kimya Dawson here and love the closeness between the performers and the audience.
They have neat little items, books, and shirts. I bought this great Daniel Johnston shirt there. It makes me very happy.
Plus, you can always ask the staff about how much they hate bookpeople and get an earful of some great stories.
I'm a record store snob. I buy one CD a week (I'm collecting Rolling Stone Magazine's Top 500 discs that came out a couple of years ago), and sometimes two.
I usually stay up north and go to the Barnes & Noble in the Arboretum (close to my house) or the Borders at the Domain (I have a Borders Rewards card).
But twice a month I venture downtown to Waterloo. For my money, they have the best selection in town, especially their box sets.
I've only gone into Cheapo three times in the time I've been in Austin (about a year-and-a-half), and it just doesn't do it for me. Antone's on Guadalupe is good if you're looking for vinyl.
But Waterloo works for me. Why? I don't know. Selection for one. I've found some real good stuff in there (a set of 10 discs chronicling the history of R&B during the 50's that is just downright AWESOME!)
I'll continue to visit Cheapo, and perhaps one day they'll have something I like. But until then, in my quest for music, I'll continue to venture into Waterloo.
Very Amoeba/ quonset hut-ish type of record store. I've only gone once and i only bought one cd, but if I go back, this place is the first stop. I rolled into Austin in a rental driven from Dallas where my wife was at a boring seminar(can you guess which?). I took in Austin in a few hours and fell in love. I never thought i would love anything about Texas. I give Austin four stars in general for the vintage stores, bars and vibe of the town. I hear they are gentrifying and outpricing what makes Austin so weird and unique. That is sad. I hope it's just exaggeration. Wow, this review helps no one. Good store!
I should explain my 3-star review of Waterloo based on the fact that I'm coming at it as a vinyl crate-digger and it seems to be the most lauded record store in Austin (there's even a mini one in the airport), the first place I visited. They've got an ok used vinyl selection for a small town, with pretty low prices, but not as much as I was expecting based on their reputation and not much good stuff. There are a fair amount of unsorted records stacked sideways underneath the sorted vinyl, so if you've got the time you might want to check it out, but with a cursory glance it seemed to be the usual dollar bin crud.
As far as vinyl goes they have as many new pressings, if not more than their used stuff, and a lot that is electronica. Their used CD stock didn't blow me away, either. This place seemed to be serving as sort of a replacement to Tower, mainly focused on new CD's and vinyl for DJ's. So if that's what you're looking for its definitely worth a visit. It does dishearten me a little though, when you go in a record store and in addition to music they're selling stuff like sunglasses and Pez dispensers. Those with calluses formed from hours of repeated record browsing probably won't last long here, there's better places for that in Austin.
I am a CD/Vinyl junkie. I download almost as much as I buy. . But for me buying wins out: The cover art, the rustle of the plastic.
And I admit, having out of print and imported CDs makes me feel like a self-important asshole. . But in a good way.
That being said, I LOVE Waterloo Records. . . When I venture into Austin, this is always one of my stops. I leave my purse in the car and bring in about $30 to $100, otherwise my paycheck disappears. . . And I go NUTS! In the used section, I pick out endless stacks of albums and single from bands I generally don't see in other stores. . . And then I have to narrow down my selection, cause I know I'm over my spending limit. . . It satisfies my need for weird.
They have an awesome option for special orders. . Having gone through the process, I can assure you they give top-notch customer service and follow up very nicely with everything. Great management, great employees. . .
And the size of the place is comfortable!
One of the best record stores in the country ... vast and comprehensive selection, totally cool employees.
I put out a record a couple of years ago and before we even sent copies to our own record distributor one of the employees from Waterloo somehow tracked me down and called me personally to see if they could order copies first - I think he had got a copy of a radio show in the UK that played it and tracked me down.
So I figure if they are that passionate about our music, you can only imagine the kinds of stuff they have that no other store can get their hands on. Don't miss.
The record part of the store is great. Everything for everybody, and good selection of used discs, vinyl, classical and boxed sets.
The video store is the only place i rent from regularly. The selection is fantastic, lots of foreign, cult, horror. The prices and specials (2 for 1 Mondays) are better than most other options. And it isn't Blockbuster or Hollywood.
The one drawback - and to me it's a BIG one - is that the staff is rude and pretentious. Granted, there are several exceptions, but my general experience is that the people working there are thoroughly involved in themselves and their coworkers and treat my visit to the store as little more than an unpleasant interruption.
I don't want a conversation or a friend, but a smile would be nice.
Best record store I've been in since I left college [5 years ago - sigh]. They had all the new stuff I was looking for AND the super old CD my Boyfriend has been searching for since oh, I don't know, 1998.
And once when I was having an allergy attack and couldn't stop sneezing, one of the staff brought me a box of tissues. Seriously, best record store ever.
I like Waterloo. When you walk in, it *feels* different from most sterile record shops and CD stores. Waterloo has a personality. Maybe that's why so many people (myself included) have Waterloo bumper stickers on their cars and bikes.
I'm not much of a CD-buying person, but lately I've actually been going in the store and browsing their new stuff. I stopped buying CDs back in 2000 when everywhere I went I had to pay $18 for a disc. Waterloo has good prices for new CDs -- recently I bought a few new releases for $12.
The entire little block of 6th and Lamar is a great place to be. Buy some CDs, eat some food at Waterloo Ice House (their tater tots are great), have some ice cream at Amy's, and rent some movies from Waterloo Video.
I have been coming here ever sine the first time I've been here for a visit, it is one of the first things that come to mind when I think, "What is Austin?"
Austinites don't realize how good they have it because music, esp live local music, isn't as prevalent most anywhere else you go in the US - even in the Bay Area, CA.
Waterloo exemplies that concept, and embarrassingly, as a first-time visit visitor eleven years ago, I was flabbergasted (in a good way), that there was actually a music store out there that actually offered up its space for live music!
I like this place a lot!
The staff is really helpful in finding music. One time I went there and I had no idea what to get since I had a gift card and I was totally bored. The staff guy pointed out that I was awesome and so are the spice girls so I got the spice girls greatest hits. Which I totally wanted yay!!
Sometimes they have shows. Well they have shows all the time. They have good acoustics and it's a fun place to take the kids and stuff!! Local music!! woo!
I was in Waterloo Records a few years ago, when a fight broke out. Not two people shouting, but actual fisticuffs - and this was between two employees over what music should be played in the store.
Now it shouldn't be a big surprise that those who work in a record store might be a bit emotionally stunted, but if you are physically fighting over music, might it be time to look for work outside of a record store?
I've been coming into this store for 15 years which is about 15 generations in the music world. The music knowledge of the employees is hit or miss. Find the individual that knows something and you are golden...speak to guy that knows a lot about only one genre and you can be a lost lamb. The prices are OK, but the owners have not quite realized that they are being priced out by the internet - which can be much easier than trying to navigate the traffic at 6th. + Lamar. And it just might be safer for you if another fight breaks out while you are in the shop.
I was put on to Waterloo a couple of years ago by a Dr. I worked with. He said any weekend in Austin wasn't complete without a visit here, and he's right. I walked in the first time and was totally blown away by the selection. The most obscure, esoteric music can be found here. If you're in the mood for something different and aren't sure what, ask the staff. The people who work here are a friendly, highly knowledgable pack of tuneheads who'll steer you in the right direction. If you have the time, you gotta browse! THE BEST way to find something unexpected is just to wander about and look. The stuff is arranged alphabetically, so if you can master the whole "ABCD" thing you'll have no trouble.
I actually found a CD of bagpipe music that had Mark Knopfler as guest guitarist on one track. How cool is that?
Visiting my brother and family in Austin for Thanksgiving 2007.
I was very excited to visit this Austin music institution. Plus, I love it when record stores and book stores employ people who actually love music and books and therefore know what they are talking about. Wide selection of music and videos, no complaints at all. Top notch!
Also, I've bought from Waterloo online a few times, and each transaction has been seamless!
Recommended if you are in the area!
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)
Category: Music & DVD's
Neighborhood: East Austin
Category: Music & DVD's
Neighborhood: East Austin
Category: Music & DVD's
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)
Category: Music & DVD's
Neighborhood: University of Texas
Category: Music & DVD's
I had the opportunity to visit Austin over…
Screw ITUNES, why not leave the house & head on…
I like to shop in stores. I like record…
A list of good shopping. I keep in mind quality…
The places I've found so far, that suit my…
I'm pretty strict with my 5 star reviews, after…
ATLien eats & plays her way across the weirdest…
That's what the "cool" people call Austin, Texas.…
